NEW DELHI: Tempers flared within the center as Virat Kohli shoulder-bumped Sam Konstas within the first session of the Boxing Day Take a look at on the Melbourne Cricket Floor on Thursday.
Debutant Konstas gave the Aussies a flying begin after Pat Cummins received the toss and opted to bat with the collection locked at 1-1.
Konstas threw Jasprit Bumrah off monitor because the India tempo spearhead conceded 20 runs off his first 5 overs, which two have been maidens.
With Australia at 44/zero after 10 overs, there was a heated alternate between Kohli and Konstas.
Kohli barged into Konstas’ shoulder whereas passing by. Konstas did not prefer it one bit and had one thing to say to Kohli after which there have been some phrases exchanged at the same time as Usman Khawaja had his hand round Kohli’s shoulder in a pleasant gesture.
The state of affairs was about to get out of hand until the umpires got here in to calm issues down.
Whereas commentating for Channel Seven, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting slammed Kohli for his habits.
“Virat walked one complete pitch over to his proper and instigated that confrontation. Little doubt in my thoughts in any respect,” Ponting stated on Channel Seven.
“I’ve little doubt that the umpires and the referee can have a superb take a look at that. Fielders ought to be nowhere close to the batsman at that stage. Each fieldsman on the bottom is aware of the place the batsmen will congregate and get collectively.
“It seemed to me that Konstas seemed up actually late, would not even know anybody is in entrance of him. That man on-screen there (Kohli) might need just a few inquiries to reply.”
Konstas was on 27 when the confrontation with Kohli occurred and the debutant went on to hit a half-century off simply 52 balls to wrest the initiative.
At 19 years and 85 days, Konstas turned the second youngest Aussie to attain a half-century for Australia in Take a look at cricket.
Konstas’ debut knock was dropped at an finish by Ravindra Jadeja who trapped him plumb earlier than the wicket.
Konstas scored 60 runs off 65 balls with 2 sixes and 6 fours in his knock.
